What to say?
by
Jordan Rowe
This album relies heavily on its singles. "I Lay My Head" is a great alternative pop tune with a catchy chorus and fun lyrics. "Out of It" is a bit darker but shares a lot of similarities with "Head" in terms of a catchy chorus. "Bridges" is an outstandingly fresh and summery offbeat tune which could easily find its way onto UK radio. Away from these "Give Us A Little Love's" lyrics are a little simplistic but is without a doubt the best ballad on this record, whilst "Work Song" makes fantastic use of Fallulah's interesting vocal style. Additionally, the album's opener "Only Human" is catchy if too repetitive.
Everything else blends into each other and shows a singer not quite sure where to go next - is she indie pop in the mould of "Marina and the Diamonds"; Scandinavian pop rock a la "Tina Dico" or acoustic singer-songwriter like "Ingrid Michaelson"? There is too much manipulating of her voice whether through her own devices (the start of "Black Cat Neighborhood" has an almost distressing beginning to it) or studio magic (echoey effects are used much too often, seemingly to please fans of Scandinavian pop's 'coldness'). These cause the album tracks to be distinctly that - album tracks. "Hold Your Horses" is possibly the best example of an artist with very little to say but a record to fill. It's easy to understand why the album failed to gain much traction in her native Denmark for almost a year, until "Out of It" was used in a popular TV series.
Very disappointing collection following three impressive trailer's for the album, yet it holds a lot of promise for the artist looking forward, if only someone gives her a bit more direction and she reigns in the 'kookiness' of that "Wailing" voice.
